Security Cameras To Be Installed Downtown For Caribana
Posted August 2, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s a massive celebration that attracts thousands of tourists to the city and with large crowds expected downtown this week police are putting some extra eyes on the streets to ensure the festivities stay safe. But the beefed up security tactic may raise some privacy concerns.
Last year the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly Caribana, drew close to a million people to the city. This year’s parade hits Lake Shore Saturday and along with the extra police officers on patrol, there will be closed-circuit cameras placed along the route.
Police will also install cameras in the downtown core, but they won’t say how many. They’ll also put existing ones to use this weekend, including at Yonge-Dundas Square, which was the scene of a brazen shooting during the festivities last year.
While authorities won’t divulge how many cameras are being used, they’re not making any secret of where they’ll be placed. Signs informing the public that they’re being watched will be visible on downtown streets this weekend.
“I hope it will encourage people to come down because they’ll know that the area is safer,” Acting Toronto Police Chief Tony Warr said.
Police say these cameras have helped them numerous times in homicide, sex assault, armed robbery and child abduction cases, but those benefits may not outweigh the “big brother” feeling some people get from knowing they’re being watched in a public place.
“We are mindful there are privacy concerns with respect to CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras. Those concerns are important to us and we are working very closely with government agencies and community groups to ensure that, as we continue to use CCTV to protect public safety, our policies reflect those concerns,” Warr said.
Others just don’t think cameras will deter potential criminals and instill a feeling of safety.
Festivities for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival have already kicked off around the city and the parade is set to take over Lake Shore on Saturday. For a full list of events, click here.
